Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if all plastic bag levy receipts together with landfill levy receipts are paid into a ring fenced environment fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23994/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Environment Fund was established by the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001 with effect from 17 July 2001. All plastic bag levy receipts are paid into the Environment Fund. In respect of landfill levy receipts, local authorities may deduct and retain up to 2%, subject to a maximum of €50,000 per annum, from levies payable in respect of privately operated landfill facilities to meet expenses incurred by them in the enforcement and collection of such levies. All other landfill levy receipts are paid into the Environment Fund.

The Environment Fund is ring fenced and payments can only be made from the Fund for the purposes specified under Section 74(9) or Section 74 (12) of the Waste Management Act 1996, inserted by Section 12 of the Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2001.